SUN TIMES
Seattleites not only hold the title of #1 moviegoers in the country, they also live a burgeoning mecca of creativity and filmmaking. In the past year, Sundance film festival hosted four films shot in Washington State. Filmmaking talent in Seattle has filled the big screen (and big festivals), such as Lynn Shelton with Humpday and her more recently released Your Sister’s Sister, and Megan Griffiths with The Off Hours—now available on-demand after its Sundance. This article discusses the conventional commercial viability and availability and where the thoughtful and intimate The Off Hours fits in that paradigm.

SUBPOP
Interested in what your favorite artist will be listening to and watching over holiday break? Top artists from the year share their top picks from the year. Among the artists who divulged their favorites are THEESatisfaction, Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes, and Ishmael Butler of Shabazz Palaces. While Ishamel takes a slightly random approach and touches on everything from his favorite day of the year to his favorite view, Robin and THEESatisfaction stick to music and movies. Robin’s top-ten playlist on Spotify includes Kurt Vile, Portishead, and The Walkmen. The ladies of THEESatisfaction’s movie archive is robust with flicks like Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, The Nutty Professor, and Mary Poppins.

NPR
NPR music experts recently published their top five “Must-Hear” artists of 2011. Local Seattle band Pickwick made the list. NPR says that the band’s “insidious, slinky jams worm their way into your brain and plant their unshakeable melodies and groove.” Other honorable mentions include popular local groups like Fleet Foxes and Shabazz Palaces, among the likes of international sensations such as Bon Iver, Wilco and Raphael Saadiq.

Since 2005, Seattle-based production company Southdown Creative has been in the business of conceptualizing and producing commercial-quality videos for its clients. Their services include viral web campaigns, comedic and narrative corporate videos, and TV series and commercial production. Southdown Creative’s client list includes Microsoft, Starbucks, Wizards of the Coast, Seattle Channel, Adult Swim, and many others. Continue reading →

Art Zone
This week on Art Zone award winning local cinematographer Ben Kasulke (Humpday, Safety Not Guaranteed) swaps roles with a cameraman. During his interview, Kasulke shares his thoughts on the art of filmmaking. He strongly believes that “the epicenter of American movie-making is not New York or L.A.” and goes on to say “you’re going to find wonderful, wonderful films and filmmakers in the Pacific Northwest.”

The Seattle Times
South by Southwest, known as “the annual spring break for the music industry,” will make its annual return next March in Austin, Texas. Artists from the Pacific Northwest will be among international sensations like Thee Oh Sees, Balkan Beat Box, and Talib Kweli. Several Seattle bands will be present at the festival, including Night Beats, Brite Futures, Craft Spells, Motopony, Say Hi and Grave Babies. The list is not final, and music predictions point to many more local bands making the trip down in the Spring.

Rolling Stone
We’ve written extensively about Fleet Foxes’ Helplessness Blues, but not without good reason. The NW band is making waves in the national music scene, garnering accolades left and right, even a GRAMMY nomination for best album. Rolling Stone Magazine seems to agree, listing the album at no. 4 in the top 50 best albums of 2011. Helplessness Blues was also listed at No. 12 in Uncut’s “Top 50″ list as well.

Fleet Foxes aren’t the only NW band to be recognized this year. Portland’s The Decemberists came out with The King is Dead earlier this year, debuting at the top of the US album chart. Rolling Stone Magazine listed the album at #7 in their best albums of 2011. The hit single, Down by the Water from the aforementioned album, has also been nominated for a GRAMMY.